Do you remember walking into the local café and have everyone say your name? Me neither. Local shops do have a friendlier appeal. Probably why they are typically called, “mom & pop shops.” I do remember back in 1987, after a long day on the college campus, regularly going to a small café downtown with several of my friends. Linnaea’s Café, a great place to hang out as a young person trying to fit in this new college town.
By 1994, I found myself working in Redmond, WA. And when you’re that close to Seattle it took only 1 morning before I was introduce to my new drink, Starbucks. With Pearl Jam, my grunge outfit, and seeing this new big corporation in every suburb of Seattle, I never once went to a little café ran by locals. I regret that.
By the time I moved to New York City, Starbucks was on every corner. Do you know what I drank when I lived there? Sorry to admit it but you guessed it. Looking back I don’t think I could find a local coffee shop. The Corporate mermaid prevented me from looking elsewhere. I remember, after I moved back to California, being at an intersection near the embarcadero in San Francisco I could see 5 Starbuck stores by just turning 360°. From that point of view I was cheating myself of a culture that really does still exists in America – small business.
January 2009, my little sister is visiting from Boston and we are walking in that old college town I moved back to raise my family in. We decide to get a coffee. I say, “There’s a new Starbucks around the corner”.
“You ever go to Linnae’s?”
“No. . . – I forgot all about that place.”
“Let’s go”
We both get mochas. They pour it in large porcelain cups and they even make a flower in the foam as they pour the steamed milk. Behind the counter, the owner, asks if I was new to the area. I mention how I would come in regularly. She next asks, “Shame on you, where have you been?” Followed by a big smile, “Welcome back!” I was back and I liked it. There was a great connection of people studying, reading, talking, and me catching up with a sibling. We quickly connected to the free wi-fi and began showing off our new iPhone apps. I learned something and I was happy to come back full circle doing it.
Small businesses will not be forgotten. We will remember the core beginnings of small towns. TinRoof will find those local shops and bring back the enjoyment of communities working together. The TinRoof shack will help bring us back! And little sisters will help too.
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Please share your small business story. If we publish it on our blog, we will give you 100 free coupons to promote your “mom & pop” shop. Send your stories to our editor Barak Miles: bmiles@tinroofme.com